vasti

Vasti is an Ayurvedic therapy used in the traditional system of medicine in India. In classical texts, the term denotes an enema and is often described as a detoxifying procedure within Panchakarma, the broader set of cleansing-and-rejuvenation practices. The word is derived from Sanskrit and is sometimes rendered as basti in transliteration, with vasti referring to the enema itself as a vehicle for delivering medicated substances to the lower gastrointestinal tract.

There are two principal forms of vasti: asthapana basti and anuvasana basti. A sthapana basti involves administering medicated liquids, decoctions, or pastes through a rectal tube over a set period, typically to affect systemic purification and balance specific doshas, especially vata. Anuvasana basti uses medicated oils or ghee and is usually retained for a shorter duration to nourish tissues and support lubrication and lubrication of the colon. Some traditions describe additional variants such as matra basti, which uses smaller amounts of substances.

Preparation, procedure, and indications: Vasti is typically performed as part of a broader purification protocol that may include pre-cleaning and oleation (snehana) and sudation (svedana). The enema is administered by a trained practitioner and retained for a prescribed time, then expelled. Vasti is traditionally indicated for conditions attributed to vata imbalance, including chronic constipation, abdominal pain, certain neurological disorders, and some gynecological or urinary issues. Safety, contraindications, and dosage are determined by practitioner assessment.

See also: Panchakarma, Ayurveda, basti.